Christmas & New Years 2011 Discussion

[Neon Ignition]

That time of the year has rolled around again. Some places took down their decorations as late as March and society sneezed to see that by July some shops were already stocking up of Xmas items again. This Christmas sees us several years into a recession and on the verge of another downturn with unemployment soaring and a new wave of company closures likely after the January sales period. For some, the arrival of such an expensive time of year couldn't be worse news yet for others there's an unshakeable joy to the festive time of the year which throws us TV specials, family meals, plenty of sales and an encore of heavy drinking to let the new year in.

For those who participate, the Secret Santa looks to be returning too

http://www.bordersdown.net/showthread.php?106537-Secret-Santa-2010/page13

So, how are you feeling about this years Santa visit?

[Flabio]

I turn 35 on Christmas day this year.

Yay.

[Fader209]

I turn 35 on Christmas day this year.

Yay.

How have your family managed to make your Bday special if it's on Xmas day? It's something I have been trying to work out as my girlfriends in on the Boxing day but it never seems to be as exciting as everyone else is in that group festive mood. We were thinking of celebrating it around June instead so she gets a proper dedicated day, just an idea at the moment.

[J0e Musashi]

PS Vita is all Christmas will be about this year. And sweets.

[toythatkills]

I turn 35 on Christmas day this year.

I'm just gonna get you one present this year, for Christmas and your birthday combined.

[EJG1980]

How have your family managed to make your Bday special if it's on Xmas day? It's something I have been trying to work out as my girlfriends in on the Boxing day but it never seems to be as exciting as everyone else is in that group festive mood. We were thinking of celebrating it around June instead so she gets a proper dedicated day, just an idea at the moment.

A bit like The Queen having an "official birthday" that isn't on her actual birthday

My Xmas will be the same old, same old. Family time, playing board games (undefeated at Scrabble for many years!) and vowing not to eat too much, then eating too much.

With a bit of luck I might be spending New Year's Eve / day in Wales. Spurs are playing Swansea on 31st Dec so if we manage to get tickets my younger brother and I will be going to the match then staying in a hotel in Swansea for the night. Should be fun so I really hope we get the tickets!

[Neon Ignition]

I'm looking forward to the time off and a new Doctor Who ep but not the Xmasness of it all. It goes on far too long these days and has lost alot of it's appeal. The best Xmas era was the 80's, it's needs that garish tackiness it, I hate modern Xmas decorations.

This year is my last at my current address and I'll be spending the main day itself on my own which I'm fine with as it'll be with the other half for the rest of my lifetimes Xmas's after this if I'm lucky, lol

[koopatroopa90]

I'm just gonna get you one present this year, for Christmas and your birthday combined.

My girlfriends birthday is on New Years Day and she used to get this alot apparently...

[Skull Commander]

I always love Christmas, and having my daughter, who will turn 2 exactly a week before Christmas, makes it even better. I'm excited that she will be able to take it all in and understand it more this year. I love it!

[Daragon]

Another one here with birthday on New Year's Day.

ALWAYS overlooked, never any gifts as I always get fed the same "you had them for Christmas" Bull.

I've frequently apologised to my parents for being born when I was and interrupting their NY celebrations, but they have none of it



Not sure what my Bday/NY plans are as of yet, but Christmas tends to be a quiet day, bit of lunch+crackers with ****ty jokes in them, most of the family downstairs with the TV on watching some dire Christmas movie and me upstairs sat in front of whatever game I happened to be gifted with (this year it will be Skyrim)

[BeyondJumpFish]

Im usually a real Bah humbug kind of guy, but this year i feel different about it. Because i now live in Birmingham, im looking forward to driving home for xmas and seeing the family and getting into the xmas spirit. I think its more about going home, getting everything laid on for me and getting pissed really.

[Flabio]

I'm just gonna get you one present this year, for Christmas and your birthday combined.

My parents and other close family have never resorted to this, but quite a few people do.

To be honest I don't really mind it, I've never experienced having my birthday on any other day so I don't have a lot to compare it with.

Growing up, the morning and Christmas dinner was 'Christmas' for me and my sister, but we'd have my birthday cake with the evening meal. As I've got older it's mattered less. Christmas doesn't hold the same meaning once you get past a certain age until you have kids of your own (and I don't), so when I'm with the folks now it definitely feels more like it's my birthday than it is Christmas.

I think the only real downer for me is that I'm never really able to go out and have a pint on my birthday with my mates. I actually spent Christmas in Tokyo one year to try having my birthday on a normal day (it's not a public holiday there, and they don't have any of the Christian side of it going on so it's just a gift giving day). I still ended up eating a full Christmas dinner that night anyway.

[koopatroopa90]

I know it's not strictly to do with Christmas but I hope it snows again, last year was great fun (well, most of the time anyway), uni was closed for over a week plus I now live opposite a park and parks are always nice in the snow, particularly when they have a slope/hilly bit.

[Kieran76]

Katy and I have finally taken the plunge this year and decided to not see family at Christmas. We have rented a cottage, with some friends of ours, in Dorset and will spend a week there over the Christmas period. I have wanted to do this for a while, so I am happy to not have to do all the rushing around the country that we normally have to do.

[kryss]

i get off work at 7.15am Christmas morning and will probably have a quick chat with my mum while playing Animal Crossing and then sleep most of the day, play Zelda all night.

Better than last years day of solitary drinking.